State has worst roads

Connecticut and Rhode Island have the worst roads in the nation, a report by the White House concludes.

The report notes that 41 percent of Connecticut’s roads are “deficient” and 35 percent of the state’s bridges are “deficient or obsolete.” Wyoming was listed as having the best roads and Arizona has the best bridges.

The report is part of a lobbying effort by President Obama to push a $300 billion transportation bill through Congress. He proposes to pay for the spending by increasing certain business taxes.

State officials said the report is based on the quality of the ride drivers experience on state roads and is not a measure of safety. They were unsure how the Obama administration arrived at the bridge percentages, saying Connecticut is in the “middle of the pack” in terms of bridge deficiencies.